Tuesday, July 10, 2012

This is Dante from Brooklyn. I'm sure you've already picked up on the fact that I'm a cheerleader for female MCs, but I'm feeling this for a couple reasons: she's from Brooklyn, her voice is amazing, and she actually wears a habit in the video (and then proceeds to roll up on a dude and take him home in said habit).

But seriously, her voice. I can't think of who to compare her to so just listen to it (and maybe you can think of a good "sounds like" and tell me in the comments?). If you're feeling it, pick up her mixtape, there are some solid tracks there too.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

There's not much new music right now that I feel inclined to post about (mostly because I'm sure you're getting it already from better joints than this one), but I did make this playlist a while back that I thought I'd share as a palette cleanser of sorts. I don't really have much to add to the curent discussion/debate swirling around Kitty Pryde, Iggy, Azealia, Kreayshawn, etc, other than I think it's all a little "too too" at this point. I understand why everyone is so hungry for new music and especially new female rappers, but can we give them some space to actually make some music, please? Apparently one Youtube video is enough to merit 2000 words these days. Yeesh.

So let's return to the days of Missy, Remy Ma, Lil Kim, Eve, Shawnna, Da Brat, and yes a couple Pink Dollaz for good measure. Who can forget the days of choreographing dances to "Crush On You" in Amy Chamberlain's basement? (Maybe like one of you, right? No?)

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Here's another fun one from our trip to Santa Fe (here's the first one). We spent a lot of that trip going to look at local art and crafts, like those giant bearded tree monks behind me. Doesn't it kind of look like the one on the right is trying to photobomb? No? Maybe it's just me. I have really strong memories of Santa Fe even though I was pretty young when we went – but it was my first time on a plane, and my mom let me walk back to the hotel by myself one day so I was feeling pretty A+. My grandma was there too, and she bought a lot of rad mudcloth that's still sitting in her insane sewing room (which I showed you once before here and here!).

I'm pretty sure I have said this before but I would wear that exact outfit today if I could. And I probably will buy those Tokis if I can ever get my hands on them (and the earrings and hat too, obvi).

Friday, May 4, 2012

When Sasha Gohard posted "Why They Madd" on Monday, some cohorts and I got to twitter-musing on why she hasn't gotten picked up for bigger projects or features yet. I figured I'd go straight to the source and sent her a message to see if she would be down to answer a few questions, to which she sweetly agreed.

Another important character in Sasha's story and in the Chicago scene at the moment is DGainz, who produces both beats and videos and is the man behind the visuals for Chief Keef's now-infamous anthem, "Don't Like." After reading Sasha's answers, I followed up with DGainz to hear how he does it. This kid's body of work is massive. He put out 10 videos in April alone, has 168 videos on his Youtube channel, and his complete discography is almost 50 tracks long and counting (see it on SoManyShrimp). He told me that while he prefers making beats, he has been focusing on making videos lately because he's been having hearing problems for the past year. I asked how many artists he's working with and he said he's lost count, but that it takes about 2-3 hours to shoot and many more to edit each video. These videos are no joke though – he doesn't just stick to one rote formula and apply it across the board, each song gets its own treatment. In a culture where music videos are tantamount to cred and currency, DGainz is one you want in your court.

The bottom line is that these kids are demanding attention, they're going to get it. Here's what Sasha had to say about her career, past present and future...

Emily:You just put out "Why They Madd" – is that part of a bigger mixtape coming out? What are you putting out next?Sasha Gohard: Yes that's part of my mixtape coming out, and next will be a soft love song!

There's a big group of girls in Chicago putting out music and videos right now (ChellaH, Shady, Katie Got Bandz to name a few). Are you all supportive of each other? Does it ever get competitive?
I mean, like me and Chella support each other, and me and Katie support each other. Everybody on their own on the come up but still support each other!

How did you get into rapping? When did you record your first song?
I been rapping for about 3 or 4 years but I first recorded and got serious early last year. I recorded my first song last year with DGainz.

What's your relationship with Chief Keef like?
Me and Chief Keef don't communicate like we used to! He doing his thing and I'm doing mine. I salute his success though!

Since Kanye co-signed Chief Keef a lot of bigger labels have been taking a closer look at the Chicago rap scene. Who are some other artists you think should get some credit? Have you been approached by any labels yet?
I truly believe I deserve some credit, Chris Mille, and SDot! A few labels approached me before but I wasn't feeling the movement and I'd rather wait for the best!

What's your day-to-day like? Are you in school? Working? Where do you go out, etc?
I work and rap and spend time with my main family. I don't too much go out unless I'm in the car. Too much fame (negative & positive).

What other artists or producers do you want to work with?
Producers I wanna work with is Young Chop, Absolut.P, and whoever cold. :)

Do you listen to Iggy Azalea or Azealia Banks? They have been getting a lot of buzz in the mainstream media lately, what do you think of their music?
Never heard of them.

How do you see your career going over the next 5 years?
I'll be worldwide with plenty of money making good music! :) :) :)

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If you want more on Chicago rap, read FakeShoreDrive and SoManyShrimp. Those kids know more about their shit than I could ever pretend to. They also have a podcast, Disrespectful Radio which is definitely worth your time.
Follow:
@Sasha_Darapper
@DGainzBeats
@FakeShoreDrive
@SoManyShrimp
& @TooManyRonis

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

For your Tuesday morning enjoyment, a smattering of what's in my headphones right now.

Kid Ink "Time Of Your Life"
This is one of those perfect-for-hot-weather summer jams that I have a feeling we will be hearing a lot more of in coming months. It's like easy listening lite rap, but I'm into it. And let me just say, Jennifer Martinez in this video... wowwww.

Darq E Freaker featuring Danny Brown "Blueberry (Pills & Cocaine)"
The Fader has been calling Danny "America's best grime artist" which I'm not really sure I'm down with as a label (seems pretty arbitrary to me based on this little write up), but either way this beat is DUMB GOOD and I have been listening to this ish all day. Love you Danny.

Sasha Gohard "Why They Madd"
I first discovered Sasha Gohard after getting lost in a black hole of Chief Keef videos. She's part of this crew of budding high school rappers that includes Keef, Katy Got Bandz, Shady, and a handful of other Chicago kids that are probably going to blow up in about 5 minutes since Kanye co-signed Chief Keef a couple weeks ago. But I digress – Sasha has tuff bars and the beat is spooky sparse heat.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

"This picture is of me being a general exhibitionist. I was most likely running around my big backyard topless while my Dad planted bamboo. (I grew up in an enchanted forest - I was so lucky to have a Dad who loved to garden and would plant trees specifically for fort building.) He would take off his gardening bandanas and tie them around my tiny chest. Bra tops as outerwear! I was so on trend!

That hat is also probably Dad's. When I was little, my parents would host croquet parties in the summer for their friends and this hat looks tailor made for one of those. The pants are something that my parents would call PARTY PANTS. Everyone in my family had a pair... (I think Dad had 3 at one point)... hammer style, elastic waist, really loud print. Truly, I would wear this exact outfit today." ~India Nicholas

Look at this tiny little human! India and I didn't know each other until high school, but we grew up just a few blocks apart. Now we both live in Brooklyn, and every time I see her it's like a big healthy shot of home. I had a lot of fun with this one (although I say that every time), especially because her "then" outfit was so on trend – she belongs at Coachella, right?

See the first installment of Your Style Then and Now here, and all of the My Style Then and Now posts here!

Do you want to see yourself featured in a Your Style Then and Now post?

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

"Here's a pic of me when I was 9. I decided to tie a dress around my waist and then tuck in a home made tie dye t-shirt. Note the bracelets and thick unruly bangs. I was going for the "campy country chic look" I think I'm pretty cool in this pic, especially in the way I'm patting Cam on the head." ~Ande Nicoletti

For the first installment of the newly minted series "Your Style Then and Now," we have a very sassy, confident young Ande Nicoletti. The outfit she is wearing is very Angela Chase, no? It was kind of tough to recreate in a way that I think Ande would actually wear now (tie dye and plaid together is tough for anyone), but I tried to pick some fun accessories and sandals that are kind of a grown up version of those jelly sandals that we all had back in the day. Ande is my bff Cara's older sister, and that cute little one on the left is their cousin Cam. I'm obsessed with everyone in their family, and I'm sure it's not hard to see why.

Do you want to see yourself featured in a Your Style Then and Now post?

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Yesterday, SSENSE debuted the world's first shoppable music video for FKi's "I Think She Ready" featuring Iggy Azalea. If you've got stacks to spend on Margiela, Rick Owens, Preen, McQueen, etc, click on the floating S boxes to get these pieces – otherwise just enjoy the video! Oh also, FKi stands for Fuckin Kickin It, which makes me think of my brother because he says that all the time and does not read this blog.